News
The new decree halts an eviction in Sant Andreu and puts others in Barcelona on hold
For the first time in Barcelona, an eviction has been stopped thanks to the so-called «decreto Maricarmen». The measure protects vulnerable tenants and has already prevented at least three evictions in the city. Its future, however, depends on Congress.
A resident of Sant Andreu, Macarena, will not have to leave her flat after years of living there without an official contract. The reason: the so-called 'decreto Maricarmen' has served to halt her eviction, marking a turning point in the protection of vulnerable tenants in Barcelona.
What is the 'decreto Maricarmen' and how has it changed things?
This new decree, designed to protect those in a situation of residential vulnerability, has allowed lawyers from the Sindicat de Llogateres to secure a judicial suspension of the eviction. The police, who already had an operation planned, cancelled their intervention following the court's decision.
More cases halted and an uncertain future
Macarena's case is not the only one. At least two other evictions have been stopped in Barcelona using the same legal mechanism. However, the continuation of this protection depends on what members of Congress decide, as the decree still needs to be voted on to become a permanent tool.
A context of changes in housing
The issue of evictions and the protection of vulnerable tenants is not new in the city. Recently, the Government extended protection against evictions and limited the purchase of homes by investment funds, showing that housing remains one of the major urban issues in Barcelona.
What can Barcelona expect?
The suspension of these evictions thanks to the 'decreto Maricarmen' is a relief for those living on the edge, renting without a contract. But uncertainty remains: if Congress does not back the measure, the city could return to square one. For now, the pressure from groups like the Sindicat de Llogateres and media attention have ensured that, at least for a few days, the balance has tipped in favour of the most vulnerable residents. The battle for housing in Barcelona is still ongoing, and every legal advance becomes a small victory on a playing field where the rules change almost daily.